collegiatetimes.com
September 12, 2017
COLLEGIATETIMES
An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
SIG EP IS BACK IN OAK LANE
The Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity will return to campus after being suspended in 2013 for claims of misbehavior. MIKE LIU news reporter
Four years since the fraternity was closed in 2013, Sigma Phi Epsilon, also known as SigEp, has reclaimed its Oak Lane house and will be moving back to the Virginia Tech campus. Wrestling with an imperfect reputation, the members of Sigma Phi Epsilon are working to prove that they are moving forward with a mature mindset. “The biggest change would be a positive reconstruction of our values,” said Matt Rowe, a senior majoring in agribusiness who is also the president of Sigma Phi Epsilon. “It was a way for us to come back to what we really are and we are able to build a foundation strongly up from there.” Sigma Phi Epsilon was
suspended in 2013 due to repeated alcohol violations. Because of the consistent record of misbehavior, the national fraternity decided to disband the chapter at Virginia Tech. All the members of the fraternity at that time were put on alumni status. After two years of rebuilding relationships within the Blacksburg community, Sigma Phi Epsilon and its alumni restarted as a new chapter at Virginia Tech in 2015. According to Byron Hug hes, d i re ctor of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Virginia Tech and Sigma Phi Epsilon agreed that they would return to the Oak Lane house in 2017 when the chapter was restarted in 2015. “They are being fully embraced as a new fraternity. That’s part of the reason why whenever a fraternity
is either suspended by Virginia Tech or is closed by national fraternity, typically the only way that they come back is by coming in as a new fraternity with brand new members and brand new culture,” Hughes said. “Otherwise it sets up for a return to old behaviors.” W hen the national fraternity disbanded the chapter at Virginia Tech, the Oak Lane house, which was previously occupied by Sigma Phi Epsilon, became the property of Virginia Tech. According to Hughes, Virginia Tech entered into an agreement with Sigma Phi Epsilon that the house would be used for other programming available while they were rebuilding the chapter. In 2013, Housing and Residence Life launched
Hokies beat Delaware, 27–0 No. 18 Virginia Tech advanced to 2–0 after a sloppy shutout win over the Fightin’ Blue Hens. CHASE PARKER assistant sports editor
It wasn’t pretty, but No. 18 Virginia Tech defeated Delaware 27–0 on Saturday afternoon in the team’s home opener. “I’m happy to get the win,” Fuente said. “Obviously, we have a lot of things that we need to work on. Defense certainly carried the day, which is fantastic. I’m proud of them and the way that they played.” He a d i ng i nt o t he matchup, the Hokies were overwhelming favorites to not only beat the Blue Hens, but to dominate them. Once the game started, however, it became apparent that the win wouldn’t come as easily as expected. The contest was scoreless for nearly the entire first quarter and fans in the stadium seemed shellshocked that the Hokies hadn’t asserted their dominance yet, but then “Beamer Ball” proved to still be alive
and well. With just under three minutes remaining in the opening quarter, Greg Stroman fielded a punt, dashed to his left and the rest was history. Stroman ran the punt back for the 61-yard touchdown return, making him the first player in Virginia Tech history to score on a punt return in three consecutive seasons. “Those guys did a great job of blocking,” Stroman said. “My teammates, they were just as eager wanting me to score as I am. I give a big thanks to them.” Not long after, a little more special teams magic was displayed in Lane Stadium. After a disappointing performance a week ago against West Virginia, Hokies kicker Joey Slye nailed a 50-yarder, which was the longest of his career, putting the Hokies up 10–0. Offensively, Virginia Tech struggled. Up until 3:25 was left in the second
quarter, Delaware had outgained Tech 136 to 53 in total offensive yardage, and Hokies quarterback Josh Jackson was misfiring on nearly all of his passes. But then, the redshirt freshman orchestrated a six play, 80-yard drive to put the Hokies up 17–0. “We all need to keep in mind that he’s a freshman,” Fuente said. “We’re awfully quick to anoint and tell people how great they are, and I think Josh has a good chance to be a really good player. It’s going to be an ongoing process. I was pleased with how he battled. He didn’t hang his head, so to speak. He just kept plugging away. I’m just as proud of him today as I was a week ago.” At halftime, Jackson had only completed nine of 18 passes. But the offensive woes weren’t just courtesy see RECAP / page 6
see SIG EP / page 4 MATT JONES / COLLEGIATE TIMES Ed Gillespie speaks to reporters after the debate, July 22, 2017.
Op-Ed: Gillespie for Governor
Gubernatorial Republican candidate Ed Gillespie advocates for equal educational opportunities for all.
CHRIS ZABOJI / COLLEGIATE TIMES Sigma Phi Epsilon house in Oak Lane, Sept. 8, 2017.
CORPS DAY Come out Saturday and try the famous obstacle course. page 5
In Virginia, we are blessed with tremendous a sset s: va st nat u ra l resources, fertile lands, our port, our great colleges and universities, our natural beauty, our historic landmarks, but there’s no question our most valuable asset is our people. When I visit college campuses, like Virginia Tech, I am inspired by the young people I meet. I am excited by the bright, compassionate, ha rdworking Hokies I have met. You have already accomplished a great deal, and a bright future lies ahead of you.
REPORT CARD Read a report card for Tech’s offensive and defensive lines. page 6
Virginia is well-known for our world-class public and private colleges and universities, but unfortunately, an education like the one you are pursuing remains out of reach for too many Virginians. Upon graduation, it’s too difficult to find a good-paying job here in Virginia. For three straight years, more people have moved out of the commonwealth than in. Many of those people moving out of Virginia have graduated from our excellent colleges and universities, but are unable to find a good job here.
I want to change that, and I believe this plan will make necessary fundamental changes to our higher education system. Our education system shou ld pro duce t he well-prepared workers businesses need to grow. We need a modern education system to meet the workforce needs of today and the future. While Virginia has a world-class secondary education system, it is not without serious challenges. I put forward a plan to forge three types of strategic partnerships related to higher education. see GILLESPIE / page 2
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